I was looking forward to reading Damon Young’s recent book: Immortal Gestures, Journeys in the Unspoken. I am intrigued by people’s behaviour, how people move and how they communicate through gestures. Was this a book I had been waiting for?
The world population in 1700 was 600 to 680 million. the European population around then was around 127 million. How many of these earthly beings were aware of the debates centred on the philosophies of the enlightenment?
It is amazing how gullible so many people are and have always been; think religion, think Trump, think Australian Prime Ministers such as Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison, think those who still listen to anything broadcasted by or published by the Murdoch empire.
Another drive through the wonderful southern suburbs of Melbourne to arrive at the Museum of Australian Photography to see the exhibition, Coded Blooms.
The best way to start a set of comments on this exhibition Familial staged by Melbourne’s Centre for Contemporary Photography (the CCP) is to make the recommendation that you should see this exhibition – and that it is open till 25th April (closed on Sundays).
One of the artists exhibiting 14th Feb – 25th April 2026 with the Centre for Contemporary Photography (Melbourne) is (Annie) Hsiao-Ching Wang with her wonderful exhibition My Son and I at the Same Height (2002–2024). The work involved taking portraits of herself and her son every year from 2002.
Last year Gallery 275 launched an exhibition of eight Heidelberg School paintings, borrowed from the National Gallery of Australia (Canberra). The gallery is the Banyule Council gallery in the Ivanhoe library and cultural hub – in Melbourne. The eights works were generously spaced around the walls.
Some time in the latter part of 2025, we wandered along Maling Road in Canterbury (Melbourne). This is a small street with loads of character. It is not a main thoroughfare for the suburb, so light traffic only. We had been perviously to the antiques shop and this time went to find some lunch.
Richard Daintree Daintree ( 1832 – 1878) was a pioneering Australian geologist and photographer. Daintree was the first Government geologist for North Queensland discovering gold fields and coal seams for future exploitation. Then there are the special exhibition prints for the great exhibitions in England. All that and more – click here
To say it upfront and clearly, Missing You a TV five part series from 2025 is a dud.
The Guardian gave it 3 stars out of 5 stars; far too generous.
Another woman photographer profile has been added to our web site. This time Dorothy Izard. Along with Ruth Hollick, a member of the artistic community of Melbourne in the early 20th century. Click here for the link
time to celebrate with a message from Waldemar Januszczak
The State Library of New South Wales has mounted an exhibition and produced a catalogue for an exhibition of photographs dating back to PIX magazine 1938 – 1972. Continue reading PIX: The Magazine that Changed Everything (1938–1972)
The Cathy Wilcox cartoon in The Age 10th December 2025 (Melbourne) says it all about an aspect of today’s society.
With the opening of National Gallery of Victoria’s photography exhibition, open till 3rd May 2026, comes this review. There are many other online articles but most are simply rehashing the media releases.
The National Gallery of Victoria’s photography exhibition, open till 3rd May 2026, is a highly recommended – must see – exhibition. We visited yesterday, Tuesday 9th December, and made our way through slowly. People were taking their time to take in images and to enjoy the experience.
One of the many pleasures of living in Melbourne is that when you walk around the nearby suburbs, there’s plenty of diversity to take in.
While I am enjoying our move in late 2023 to Melbourne from Canberra, and have no regrets about the decision to have permanently left Canberra, there are aspects of a former life that will be missed.
I was visiting my local framers when I noticed that they had the portrait of Prince Charles for sale – again. They have been selling these portraits for a couple of years now.
We visited Rod McNicol in mid September; he died at home on 8th October.
Gael has a post about our visit – click here
the joys of being in Melbourne; many local government arts centres
Bundoora Arts – click here
the joys of walking the neighbourhood
Not quite a Jeff Koons Puppy;
but a lot cheaper and on sale for $15 in the local tobacco shop
Wandering through Melbourne University a few months ago, I noted the voices trying to get attention on the corridor notice boards.
Was not too sure what to expect from the exhibition of the photo record of the guy who ran photo-booths here in Melbourne. Please to say, this was an intriguing experience on several levels. A visit is recommended.
This beautiful gem, a Cuneiform table, being just one marvellous item to be seen at the State Library of Victoria’s excellent exhibition The World of the Book.
In late 2023 when considering the purchase of our Melbourne apartment, one of the many considerations was that the building next door was a church.
I enjoy a good sandwich and still have the long held view of what makes up a sandwich. Two slices of bread with yummy filling in between.
We travelled down to Docklands to Magnet Galleries Melbourne to see the exhibition The Prahran Legacy: Beyond the Basement.
Broken Dreams” 2018 , a beautiful hand coloured black and white photograph by artist/ photographer Viki Petherbridge. We saw this today at Magnet Galleries Melbourne’s exhibition – The Prahran Legacy – Beyond The Basement
This book has apparently received rave reviews and is listed as a bestseller. My short response is that it is OK – but not great. I gave it six out of ten stars.
This is a must-see exhibition from the collections of John and Peter Perry that beautifully highlight the works and influences of Max Meldrum (1875–1955).
There’s an exhibition at Bendigo with Frida Kahlo’s personal belongings, clothing, make-up, accessories, and medical items on exhibition. Meanwhile a trip to ALDI offered an opportunity to have my own Frida memorabilia. I resisted!
Here’s a link to the Bendigo Art Gallery exhibition.
This book should be read by anyone who is concerned about the many nasty oligarchs that now influence so much of our lives.
James McArdle has a new piece on his blog site, On This Day In Photography, with an extensive review and commentary on Graham Howe’s photo-book, Epoch. Click here
Last Thursday we made another visit to Deutscher Hackett auction house in South Yarra to see their wonderful selection of Australian art – paintings, sculpture and prints.
We wandered into the Whitehorse Artspace (Box Hill Town Hall) to see some artworks that were recommended plus to simply look the place over. We were impressed with the latter and as a bonus saw this artwork by Martin King. Loved it!
A highly recommended exhibition – about things floral. The title being Floribunda.
When you buy cereal, the packaging, like it or not, plays a part in your choices.
April 2025, and on a first visit to Daylesford in country Victoria. It is a country town with not a lot to distinguish it from many other country towns in Victoria and NSW.
James McArdle has uploaded a brilliant piece on Helen Ennis’ thought provoking presentation at the Museum of Australian Photography’s launch of the book — The Basement — the photography from Prahran College. Click here.
Gael has uploaded a piece introducing Graham Howe’s new book on his student work when he was at Prahran College in Melbourne 1970-1971. Click here.
Last Saturday (1st March 2024) the Museum of Australian Photography staged a very crowded (that is well attended) exhibition opening of the photography of students of Prahran College (in Melbourne) with works dating from 1968-1981.
Continue reading Exhibition of photography from Prahran College
Many times in 2024 we walked passed a shop window that had on display many ornaments and bric-a-brac. Front and centre was the small statue of the Queen – waving whenever the sun is on her.
For various reasons up till recently I had not read much of the Griffith Review. I like a good non-fiction essays, and had appreciated that this publication put out a selection of essays that should have attracted my attention. And so over January, I bought these two editions.
This was the second time we gone out for lunch at Matsuya Japanese in Fairfield.
Good choice!
A significant number of commentators have called on the media to stop sane washing bad behaviour of particular politicians and their lackeys. This call went unheeded during the run up to the last US elections and so a gang of self serving mobsters are now in the White House. I would have expected better from the The Atlantic.
Last weekend we made our way over to South Yarra – to wander through the exhibition of Australian art being staged prior to the auction by Menzies in South Yarra.
More visits to auctions has led to research on Alma Figuerola. Seven of her works were in a Gibson’s auction in October 2024.
Following visits to auctions and subsequent research, we have been looking into the lives and works of a couple of Australian early 20th century painters. One artist that caught our eye was Mary Meyer – who had six works up for sale at Joel’s Women Artists auction here in Melbourne in September 2024.
Another auction exhibition and another exhibition of works that appear for a few days and then off most of them go to private collections.
Today we ventured into Collingwood to see the first exhibition at the new CCP project space. They now occupy a room on the second floor at the back of the complex of the building above – The Collingwood Yards. (the photo above borrowed from their web site).
We had things to do at the NGV, so arrived early to allow about an hour to take in the rehang of a couple of the galleries – in particular the 19th Century European.
An overcast Friday in Melbourne and a good time to visit Heide Museum of Modern Art.
Another post about visits to auction houses to see visual arts exhibition – being four day events before the auction. There’s usually a mix of artworks – some wonderful to some ordinary.
On Friday 20th September we drove over to Hawthorn (Melbourne) to view the Leonard Joel Auction’s exhibition of women’s art that was open for viewing that weekend. An excellent experience. It was so good, we returned on Saturday for another look around.
On Saturday 7th Sept 2024 in Melbourne, we travelled over to South Yarra to visit a National Trust property, Como House. Till 20th October it is open house on the weekend (see times below)
The full title for this exhibition is:
Searching for Sanctuary: A journey of survival by Barat Ali Batoor
There are several reasons to go to the State Library of Victoria. It is a great place for research – and – they have very engaging exhibitions. One of their current exhibitions is high up in the dome (4th floor). This one is World of Books.
Recently Gibson’s Auction in Melbourne (20th August 2024) held a successful auction of photographs, paintings and prints from the Julian Burnside & Kate Durham Collection. The result highlighted a disconnect between the management of Australia’s public art museums and the viewing and collecting public.
Being in Melbourne, means we can get along to see art auction exhibitions. This we did last Friday and to see Wolfgang Sievers photographs and a range of prints & other material from the Julian Burnside & Kate Durham Collection (link below) . Good stuff!
Continue reading Gibson’s Auction Julian Burnside exhibition
On the main intersection on Upper Heidelberg Road in the middle of the Ivanhoe shopping strip, stands this building that I think is all about the real estate agency on the first floor – meaning I suspect the real estate is also on the upper floors. On the ground floor are two businesses.
A living in Melbourne story: A couple of months ago while meandering along Ivanhoe’s high street, Upper Heidelberg Road, I casually took in this sign on the bin. I kept walking – thinking so how about that – Joe Cocker is coming to Melbourne. Continue reading Joe Cocker in Ivanhoe
Melbourne, in particular inner Melbourne, has a serious problem with graffiti.
(Image above – a composite photo- captured from two train journeys).
This piece is about an exhibition that closed 28th July 2024. Cutting Through Time—Cressida Campbell, Margaret Preston, and the Japanese Print
It was the 14th July in Ivanhoe and at least one cafe was honouring this important French national day. The cafe was quiet when I took the photograph, it was after hours and one person was inside doing the clean-up.
Upper Heidelberg Road as it runs through Ivanhoe in Melbourne has many buildings of interest. The street has a general people friendly feel to it. In among them is this bank building. Isn’t it wonderful!!
I have been walking passed this royal icon in this high street window for the last six months – ever since we arrived here. She waves when in the sunshine.
We were visiting the National Gallery of Victoria St Kilda Road when we split up with Gael heading for the paid exhibition of African fashion and I headed in the other direction to check on a couple of 17th century Dutch paintings. A few minutes later the phone tingled with a message that there was an exhibition of great photography within the fashion exhibition. Change of plan!
This exhibition is now closed but its staging was a curious event. Before I write about the exhibition, a few words about the photography of Steve McCurry.
An opinion Piece about exhibitions, the visual arts, and things.
Our major public galleries now promote their special exhibition/ blockbusters to such an extent that people often overlook what else is on offer. Normally there are fantastic collection and other special exhibitions on offer.
On exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) till 22 Sept 2024 is a beautifully curated exhibition of two fantastic painters who were pivotal in the development of Australian abstract art. This is a must see – even for those of us who are photographers.
My rating for this exhibition is 😎 😎 😎 😎 😎 (out of 5).
A visit to the galleries and gardens at the Heide Museum of Modern Art remains a recommendation for anyone in Melbourne. The gallery is 30 minutes (more or less) from the CBD and is definitely worth the visit.
In my spare time , I have put together a collection of early 20th century photographs from Japan – click here to see the collection (for sale)
This piece was originally uploaded in May 2023
Back in 1982, when the construction of the National Gallery’s building was completed and had been handed over to become operational as a gallery, there was an open day for people to see what there was to see – that being lots of empty spaces.
This piece was originally uploaded in June 2023.
Before you wonder what the image above is about – it is a digitally altered photograph of the National Gallery of Australia here in Canberra. I’ll explain later in this piece.
Continue reading A wonderful art gallery with a not so great café
This piece was originally published in January 2023
Viewing John Glover (the two in centre) at the AGNSW:
Continue reading New art, old art and a new book on John Glover
This piece was originally published in February 2023
It would a reasonable assumption that many readers of this column would have read about and possibly bought Nicki Savva’s book on the former prime minister, Bulldozed.
Continue reading Nicki Savva and machinations that damage democracy
This piece as originally published in 2022
Looking at the creative political sign in front of the Kingston Glass Workshop in October (now removed), the message was clear.
Continue reading Does Clive Hamilton value his own backyard?
This piece was originally published in September 2022
A visit to an exhibition at the National Museum of Australia provided the extra opportunity to have a look at the new garden at the entrance and to check out again the Garden of Australian Dreams.
Continue reading Gardening and farming at the National Museum
This piece was originally published in October 2022
The National Library is staging an exhibition of 125 documentary photographs, “Viewfinder: Photography from the 1970s to Now”. Continue reading photography at the National Library of Australia
This was published originally in August 2022
It was a recent photography exhibition by Catherine Rogers (closed 14th August) that brought home to me what a great space the ANU Drill Hall Gallery is.
First a little history: Having not called by Gundagai for many years, in 2015 we called in to check out the well-known Niagara Café. It was a disappointment.
Developers love putting up their signs of things to come that will make life better for future residents.
Unsettling thoughts should not enter your head when you are admiring a beautiful garden. This happened recently.
A Great photograph can bring about a myriad of memories as well as pose more mundane questions such as why political movements fail.
Continue reading The disconnect between passionate Peter Dombrovskis and the ACT Greens
The National Library of Australia forecourt should be a well-designed open space welcoming people to a key national institution. It is, sort of – but not quite!
Continue reading The National Library trees and sculpture festival
Viewfinder: Photography from the 1970s to Now
National Library of Australia exhibition, Friday 16 September 2022 until Monday 13 March 2023 Entry is free, curated by Matthew Jones
a link to the NLA page on the exhibition – click here
a tour of the exhibition click here
More than three decades ago the local visual arts community advocated for the establishment of a Canberra Regional/City Gallery. Continue reading visiting Canberra’s City Gallery
When the national Gallery opened in 1988, the exhibitions and their café became frequent destinations – a meeting place for locals, to take in the latest exhibitions while seeing old friends – the fabulous works in the permanent collections. Continue reading Visiting the National Gallery in Canberra
Saturday 30 July was a sunny day that encouraged a walk somewhere else in the city, besides the usual meander through the local streets.
There were few people visiting the NGA’s Sculpture Garden when I visited to enjoy the garden’s well-designed spaces and to check out the artworks.
It was, as I was reading an online US newspaper on Thursday, June 2, that I spotted they had the streaming of the Queen’s platinum celebration in London. How could I resist?
There was news in May that a new supermarket is to open in Canberra. Harris Farm Markets are to build a new store at Majura Park on the northern end of the site occasionally used by the circus. Continue reading Supermarkets, galleries and Italian food
The National Capital Authority has responsibility for the care of the capital’s design features.
Particular major urban developments in Canberra have been promoted to be in line with the plans of Marion Mahony Griffin and Walter Burley Griffin or somehow in the spirit of the Griffins.
When a government exercises significant influence over media outlets, propaganda and alternative facts easily become the message that people hear.
When Marion Mahony Griffin provided those glorious drawings for the submission to design Canberra, she included a distant view of the mountains.
Continue reading Marion Mahony Griffin’s vision for Canberra
The south side of Franklin Street, Manuka, was shut off during November for several clusters of seats and tables on fake grass. It was apparently another of this government’s pop-up experiments.